An interpretation of Martina McBride's "Concrete Angel" lyrics

Released in 2002, 'Concrete Angel' is a power ballad by American singer Martina McBride, centering around the theme of an abused child with an alcoholic parent. Written by Rob Crosby and Stephanie Bentley, it is the single enjoyed country music, which forms part of the top ten success in the USA. McBride herself has been described as the 'Celine Dion of Country' due to her vocal range and song style.

Overview

The lyrics of 'Concrete Angel' by Martina McBride are not typical country-pop fare. Rather, this is an attempt to address the controversial and difficult subject of a lonely seven-year-old girl who lives a cursed existence, struggling to survive in a household with an alcoholic parent. The signs of the abuse are there to be seen by those who want to look, but the unfortunate girl seems to be surrounded by adults who do not really care, or who rather choose to look away so that they do not have to be the ones to deal with the situation. These adults include the girl's teacher, as well as the neighbours, who hear the noises caused by the girl's terrible home life. They "hear, but they turn out the light." Description of the girl The girl is described as being "hard as a stone", and "bearing the burden of a secret storm", but it is the stone of a graveyard memorial on which her name ends up being carved, as the song hints at a tragic demise for the little girl.

Themes and ideas

The main theme of the song is clearly about the hardship of a child forced to look after herself, as she battles through a somewhat hellish existence as the child of an alcoholic mother. Although, the song was not written by Martina McBride, the 'Concrete Angel' lyrics have become popular. Ideas The 'Concrete Angel' music video also amplifies on the themes and ideas contained within the song's lyrics. The events of the girl's life are shown in a narrative stream of images, with McBride singing the song like an otherworldly observer, a kind of dramatic 'Chorus' figure, in a black jumper with winged sleeves, perhaps reflecting the video's references to angels. Ending The video ends on an optimistic, if somewhat cloyingly sentimental note, with the child, named 'Angela Carter' passing through a kind of heaven where she is greeted by a group of happy children, who welcomes her into the group before she runs off happily.